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In the spring of 1930, a young couple sets out a picnic in front of the park bench. The woman bemoans the new housing development across the street. But progress and all. She also tells the man of her donut recipe, which she hasn’t yet perfected. The man wonders if he’s told her how much he loves her today. He has, but he can tell her again. “I love you, Alice Horton,” he says. “I love you, Tom Horton,” she responds. Alice pours them coffee from a thermos and they toast to their first year of marriage, and all the years to come.

In the present, a distraught Julie, Doug, and Maggie survey the fire damage at the Horton House. A fireman, with his mask on, enters. He puts the high back armchair upright, revealing it’s miraculously unharmed. A weepy Julie notes it was her grandmother’s chair. The fireman says, actually, it was originally Tom Horton’s chair, but he left it to Alice. Julie asks how he knew that.

The man takes off his mask, revealing he’s Lucas. Surprised, Doug, Julie, and Maggie wonder how he got out of prison. He says it’s a long story, but he missed his family. He will never forget how they welcomed him with open arms when they found out he was a Horton. He flashes back to Alice asking him to call her Grandma. In the present, he warns they can’t tell anyone he was there.

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John and Marlena meet Roman and Kate at the Pub before going to the Horton House. Each couple has a box of Alice’s donuts from Sweet Bits to bring as a sign of hope. John notes they don’t know what caused the fire, only that it was definitely arson.

Chad brings Thomas to The Spectator to search for a toy he’s missing. Thomas recognizes Leo as the Tooth Fairy before rushing off to search. Leo expresses sincere sorrow for what the kids are going through. Chad blames himself for the fire because of the story on Clyde. He feels like he let his family down —again. Leo points out he literally walked through fire for his kids, so he should stop blaming himself. When Thomas returns with his found toy, Leo notices his loose tooth. As Tooth Fairy, he gives Thomas five bucks, despite Thomas declaring the going rate is fifty. When Thomas asks Chad to go to the Horton House with him instead of school, Leo asks if he can tag along.

At the Pub, Roman brings up the Horton House fire in ’86. John fills Kate in about how Orpheus planted a bomb at their place, which was next door to the Hortons, while Tom, Alice, and Abe were there. Marlena mentions they invited Abe to join them in hopes of jogging his memory, but Paulina had a heart attack last night. He won’t leave her side.

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In 1931, a pregnant Alice meets Tom for a picnic in the park. Tom teases her about twins running his family and promises to get them out of their one-bedroom apartment someday. Alice notes the development’s work stoppage. With all the turmoil in the country, they need to be grateful for all they have. When she grows insecure over her appearance, he calls her one hot tomato.

As Lucas goes to change out of the fireman’s uniform at the house, Julie flashes back to time with Alice. Kate and Roman arrive, followed by John and Marlena. Marlena remembers the first time she came to the house while treating Mickey.

When Chad and Thomas arrive, Chad tells Lucas to go upstairs with Thomas so Leo doesn’t see him. After they’ve climbed the stairs, Leo enters, much to Julie’s surprise. Leo asks Julie to tell him about the first family of Salem.

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At their 1932 picnic, Alice presents Tom with macaroni and cheese made straight from the box. She tells him their family of four is growing to five. As they celebrate, she hopes it’s not twins this time. Either way, Tom knows they need a bigger place, noting the houses across the street will be back in production soon. She calls it too expensive.

In the present, Doug and Julie regale Leo with stories about all the Hortons and their scandals, including how Doug was once married to Julie’s mother. Doug, Julie and Maggie break into Tom and Alice’s song, Always, before Leo asks if he can write something for the paper. Julie allows it only if Chad has final approval. Maggie walks Leo out.

Later, John and Marlena bring up two boxes of untouched ornaments from the cellar. Chocking up, Julie calls them irreplaceable.

In 1933, Tom and Alice stroll through the park at Christmas time, lamenting those suffering around them. Someday, Alice wants to run a center to help people in need. She shows Tom ornaments she had made with all their names on them. They’ll make hanging them a tradition and add them for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tom says they’ll need a bigger tree and a very big house.

In the present, Maggie digs out Tom and Alice’s ornaments. “God is good,” Julie says. A montage plays of Horton family ornaments hanging on the tree. Beaming, Julie declares that the Horton family tradition can live on. “What a legacy,” Marlena marvels.

As Thomas plays with a fire poker, he bangs the fireplace. A box tumbles out. Studying it, Lucas reads that it’s a time capsule Alice created in 1966 to be opened on or after 2016.

Christmas 1934, Alice sees that the house across the street from the park has been sold. Secretly, she wished they’d live there one day. Tom says that sometimes wishes come true and presents a key. Her father gave them the down payment. She leaps to his arms.

In the present, Maggie and Julie reminisce about Alice, as the others try to open the time capsule. At the paper, Leo writes about Tom and Alice’s enduring legacy, as photos flash onscreen.

In 1935, Tom carries Alice into their new home.

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A photo of Bill Hayes appears onscreen. The accompanying text reads, “In loving memory of Bill Hayes. 1925 – 2024. Good night, Sweet Prince; and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest…”

Next on Days of Our Lives, Wendy and Tripp’s fate is revealed, and Steve presents Stephanie with proof about Everett.

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Revisit more of Alice Horton’s life in Salem in the photo gallery below. 

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